A flag; a banner; a standard; esp., the national flag, or a banner indicating nationality, carried by a ship or a body of soldiers; -- as distinguished from flags indicating divisions of the army, rank of naval officers, or private signals, and the like.

Hang up your ensigns, let your drums be still.
Shak.

2.

A signal displayed like a standard, to give notice.

He will lift an ensign to the nations from far.
Is. v. 26.

3.

Sign; badge of office, rank, or power; symbol.

The ensigns of our power about we bear.
Waller.

4. (a)

Formerly, a commissioned officer of the army who carried the ensign or flag of a company or regiment.

(b)

A commissioned officer of the lowest grade in the navy, corresponding to the grade of second lieutenant in the army.

Ham. Nav. Encyc.

⇒ In the British army the rank of ensign was abolished in 1871. In the United States army the rank is not recognized; the regimental flags being carried by a sergeant called the color sergeant.